Guardians’ Hopes Rest on Boyd’s Shoulders in Crucial Game 3
The stage is set for a thrilling Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, with the Cleveland Guardians facing off against the New York Yankees on Thursday. In a must-win game for Cleveland, manager Stephen Vogt has announced that left-hander Matthew Boyd will take the mound, looking to turn the tide of the series.
A Homecoming Advantage
Vogt expressed confidence in his team’s ability to respond to the Yankees’ dominant start, citing the Guardians’ strong performance at home and the electric atmosphere of Progressive Field. “We love playing at home. We love playing in front of our fans,” Vogt said. “I think for us, knowing we have three games here, we feel really good about it.”
Boyd’s Postseason Debut
Boyd, a 33-year-old veteran, signed with the Guardians in late July and has impressed with a 2-2 record and 2.72 ERA over eight starts. Although he has limited postseason experience, Boyd has yet to concede a run in his seven innings pitched. “I’ve spent the better parts of nine seasons watching the playoffs from home,” Boyd reflected. “It’s one of those things where you’re like, ‘Man, I know my time is going to come to get to do that.’”
A Familiar Foe
Boyd will face off against New York righty Clarke Schmidt, who has previous experience pitching against the Guardians in the 2022 ALDS series. Schmidt allowed two runs over 4⅔ innings in New York’s Game 3 win of the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals. Despite the challenges, Schmidt believes his past experiences have prepared him for the intense environment of the playoffs.
A Must-Win Game
The first two games of the series have been marked by errors, wild pitches, and a lack of production from the Guardians. However, Boyd remains optimistic, citing his team’s regular season record and their ability to bounce back from adversity. “We know what we’re about,” Boyd said. “Our record speaks for itself. We did it in the regular season. We know what we’re made of. We’re just going to go play our game.”
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